FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is bullying?CLICK HEREWhat is prevention and what steps can we take to prevent bullying?CLICK HERE

Is bullying REALLY a problem in Hawaii?​

In 2015, 45% of Middle School students in Hawaii reported being bullied on school property in the past 12 months.

In 2015, 25% of Middle School students in Hawaii reported being electronically bullied in the past 12 months.

In 2015, 19% of High School students in Hawaii reported being bullied on school property in the past 12 months.

In 2015, 15% of High School students in Hawaii reported being electronically bullied in the past 12 months.

In 2015, 10% of High School students in Hawaii reported electronically bullying someone else in the past 12 months.

1 out of 7 teens in Hawaii have been harassed because someone thought they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.​

The Hawaii Health Data Warehouse via the State Department of Health produces the Youth Risk Behavior Survey bi-annually to track a spectrum of youth risk behaviors, in conjunction with a national data gathering and analysis effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report includes perceived safety, harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, fighting and weapons at school. CLICK HERE to view the most recent Harassment/Bullying Data from 2005-2015.

What do I do if my child reports that they are being bullied at school?

Be supportive and gather information about the bullying. Listen carefully to what your child tells you about the bullying. Do not encourage physical retaliation. For example: Do not say, "Just hit them back."

​Contact your child's teacher, school counselor or principal at the school to report the incident(s). Emphasize you want to work with the staff at school in finding a solution. Reporting may be done verbally or by phone or email. For public schools, you may also report using the Department of EducationFeedback Form​, which will be forwarded to the complex area/school — please indicate the school involved.

Additionally, if cyber bullying is involved relating to social media, connect with theresources hereto report incidents directly to the application(s) being used.

Help your child become more resilient to bullying. Help to develop your child's talents or positive attributes. Teach him or her how to seek help from an adult when feeling threatened by a bully.

Follow Up: It’s very important that parents of children who have been involved in bullying or cyberbullying (whether they are the bully, bystander, defender or target) help their children process it.​

How can I intervene in a bullying situation if I am a student? ​How can I intervene if I work with youth? CLICK HERE to learn about Best Practices and Helpful Intervention Behaviors identified by youth.

What are some of the effects of bullying? Bullying was once considered a simple, harmless rite of childhood experienced by many students. Today, research shows that bullying has significant short- and long-term effects that impact education, physical and mental health, safety, and a sense of well-being. There are negative outcomes involved for everyone involved in bullying: bullies, targets and bystanders:

​Drop in grades

Drug and alcohol abuse

Loss of friends

Increased risky sexual behaviors

Feelings of fear, shame, low self-esteem, anxiety, stress

Eating disorders, decline in physical health

Self mutilation

Depression and suicidal ideation

For bystanders: the belief that bullying is ok, a sense of un-safety at school, loss of friends, fear, shame guilt.

Why is self-care important for me?

Self-care includes any intentional actions you take to care for your physical, mental and emotional health. Good self care is a challenge for many people and it can be especially challenging for survivors of interpersonal violence and abuse. It can also be an important part of the healing process. Self care is unique for everyone and vital for overall well being.CLICK HERE for ways to boost your self-care.​

Why is it important to be aware of compassion fatigue?

Compassion fatigue, also known as secondary traumatic stress (STS), is a condition characterized by a gradual lessening of compassion over time. It is common among individuals that are caregivers and those helping people or animals in distress. This includes nurses, psychologists, crisis line workers and first responders. Caring too much can hurt. While the effects of compassion fatigue can cause pain and suffering, learning to recognize and manage its symptoms is the first step toward healing. CLICK HERE for compassion fatigue and life-stress tests. Practice self-care to reduce the effects.